Warren Buffett just did something he has not done in nearly two decades. He left the Gates Foundation off his annual donation list.
This represents a significant departure from his previous pattern of giving. Starting in 2006, Buffett has contributed over $47 billion in Berkshire shares to the charity set up by Bill Gates and his ex-wife Melinda French Gates. Buffett stated in a 2006 note addressed to the couple that he was "irrevocably committing" to yearly donations of Berkshire stock to their foundation "throughout my lifetime," as long as either Bill or Melinda stayed actively engaged with the organization.
The shift stems from an investigation into the Gates Foundation's ties to Jeffrey Epstein, the late sex offender. Per a Wall Street Journal report, Buffett postponed his usual contribution pending the results of an inquiry regarding the foundation's connections to Epstein.
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During a March interview with CNBC's Becky Quick, Buffett stated that he hasn't talked to Gates "at all since the whole thing was unveiled." When queried if the two were still close friends, Buffett replied that they had shared "great times together," and then added: "Until it gets cleared up ... I just don't think it makes sense to do a lot of talking."
It is a striking moment for one of the most famous philanthropic partnerships in history. Buffett and Gates have been close for decades. Now the silence between them is notable.
Buffett's three children each run their own charitable organizations. Howard Buffett operates the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, which focuses on agricultural and food security issues. Susie Buffett chairs the Sherwood Foundation, which supports early childhood education and social justice.
Peter Buffett leads the NoVo Foundation, which works on gender equality and community development. The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, named after his late wife, primarily funds reproductive health and family planning. By redirecting his donations to these entities, Buffett ensures his philanthropic legacy remains within his family's sphere.
Buffett plans to appear on CNBC's "Squawk Box" Wednesday to discuss his annual donations.
His bigger goal has not changed. Buffett wants to give away every single one of his Berkshire shares by the end of 2034 - about eight years from now.
"My goal is to dispose of all of my Berkshire shares within about eight years," he said in a statement. "As I explained last year, my children are unfortunately growing older. I have every hope that the three of them are able to carry out the disposal of my shares by December 31, 2034."
The bottom line: For investors, this is not a signal about Berkshire's business. What changed is where the money is going - from the Gates Foundation to Buffett's family-linked foundations. That reshuffling of billions of dollars may take years to play out, but it is worth watching where that cash lands.
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